12/25: Four chairs and a table in the car

Mendoza, 200km

Today we explore deserted Mendoza. The streets are empty!
We're going to Valle de Uzo to visit a winery, like the one from Salentein.
On the highway we see all these old cars that share one thing: They are tightly packed with family, chairs and a table. We assume since traditionally Christmas lunch is with the parents that the parents do not have enough seating, so the guests bring it along...

Well, Salentein is closed for visitors today - it's only open 364 days a year. We drive on to find the posada del jamón and we end up in front of another San Martin monument. And lift the secret of the chairs and table.
All along the road nicely setup, the families have gather under trees in the shade and where possible close to a creek. And I mean they are cramped not like here where everyone tries to maintain his distance when grilling at the river. Furthermore it's like a car museum: heaps of crap cars held together by strings and wires. Quite amazing.
Now we know all the people from Mendoza went.

Back in town we discover where the others (probably without car or a even less reliable car) went: they are in the parque San Martin and hugh green lung. Some policemen warn us about carrying the cameras too visible - we've been lucky so far so we pack them up...

We get an early dinner - could be like 4 o'clock snack. What we didn't realize before, is plain here: all the tourist that cannot adapt to the Argentinian eating schedule. Soon after we're seated the restaurant is full of tourists. Dinner is mediocre. Mendoza is probably the place for wine but less so for meat or we relied too much on the guidance of the hotel staff.